In early April 2026, newly installed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Department of Justice has completed its obligations regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, signaling a shift away from the controversy that contributed to the ousting of his predecessor, Pam Bondi. Appearing on Fox News, Blanche asserted, 'The DOJ has now released ALL the files with respect to the Epstein saga,' and emphasized that the matter 'should not be a part of anything going forward.' This came hours after President Trump reassigned Bondi, with Blanche—Trump's former personal attorney—stepping into the acting role. Multiple outlets report that Bondi's departure was linked to frustrations over the handling of the Epstein documents, including delays and perceived lack of full transparency. The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed in late 2025, required the DOJ to publicly release unclassified records related to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, flight logs, and associated individuals and networks. According to DOJ statements, over 6 million pages were reviewed, resulting in the public release of approximately 3.5 million pages, including images and videos in batches through January 2026. However, critics including lawmakers from both parties and Epstein survivors have highlighted that millions of pages remain withheld, redacted, or classified under exceptions for victim privacy or other legal reasons. NBC News and The Hill detailed how the department maintained that duplicates and non-responsive materials accounted for much of the discrepancy, yet co-authors of the transparency legislation have questioned whether this fully complies with the law. No new prosecutions have stemmed from the released materials, prompting ongoing inquiries about the full scope of Epstein's operations. Mainstream reporting from CNN, The Guardian, and NPR notes persistent questions about Epstein's potential intelligence connections and the broader network of enablers, though Blanche explicitly stated there is 'no evidence in the Epstein files' indicating he was spying for any foreign entity. The Guardian reported bipartisan congressional scrutiny, including subpoenas directed at Bondi (and potentially now Blanche) to testify on the matter. While official DOJ disclosures affirm compliance with the Act, the timing of the 'case closed' declaration has fueled skepticism among those seeking deeper accountability for elite figures implicated in the trafficking network. This development underscores tensions between institutional closure and public demands for unredacted sunlight on a scandal that has long raised questions about protected power structures extending beyond one individual.